Some toddlers aren’t getting enough of these 6 nutrients, is your child one of them?!
Toddlers can be tough to feed. Some meals they want to keep eating and at others, it’s two bites and they’re out of there! This happens because growth slows down at around age 2, causing a dip in appetite. And blossoming independence means toddlers want to be in charge. These changes, along with toddler’s small stomachs, make it important to get the most nutrition from every bite. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines show how Americans are eating. Below are some of the nutrients toddlers are most likely to be missing, along with easy ways to ensure they get enough.
Calcium is a mineral that helps growing toddlers with healthy bones and teeth. Toddlers ages 1 to 3 years need 700 mg of calcium each day, or about 2-3 servings of calcium-rich foods like dairy.
HOW TO GET ENOUGH?
Iron is an important nutrient for children and pregnant women. This is especially important for little ones because iron carries oxygen to the brain to ensure proper development.
HOW TO GET ENOUGH?
Most Americans do not get the recommended amount of vitamin D from their diet. Vitamin D is needed to ensure calcium can do its job of helping to build — and maintain — strong bones. Few foods naturally contain vitamin D. The sun is a source of vitamin D but people with dark skin and those who use sunscreen make less vitamin D from sunlight.
HOW TO GET ENOUGH?
The chart below shows food sources of vitamin D compared to the recommended of 600 IU. Talk to your pediatrician about supplements, especially if your child does not drink milk and spends limited time in the sun.
Food Sources of Vitamin D
Recommended Daily Allowance from age 1 to 70 (RDA): 600 IU
Most children ages 1 to 8 get more than the recommended amount of refined grains, solid fats and added sugars. These include foods like cookies, chips, crackers, cake and other sweets. When toddlers fill up on these foods it leaves less room for potassium and fiber-rich fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
HOW TO GET ENOUGH?
Vitamin E is another nutrient many young children are lacking. One study showed that more than half of toddlers are not getting the recommended amount of this nutrient. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage.
HOW TO GET ENOUGH?
Side-Lying Hold
This hold is useful when:
Cross-Cradle Hold
This hold is useful when:
Clutch or “Football” Hold
This hold is useful when:
Cradle Hold
This hold is useful when:
Laid-Back Hold
This hold is useful when: